The latest on California politics and government

June 20, 2013

Budget season has produced the usual furor about whether California lawmakers read all the bills they pass, but today legislators will be showing off their literary chops with a "read-in" on the north steps. It's part of a "Summer Matters" campaign spearheaded by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, who's seeking to expand access to summer learning options so kids' brains don't completely atrophy over the summer months.

Lawmakers expected to attend include Sens. Kevin de León and Mark DeSaulnier, along with Assembly members Susan Bonilla, Richard Pan and Henry T. Perea. They'll be talking with students about their favorite summer reading choices.

VIDEO: It looks like the Legislature is not immune to public pressure after all, Dan Walters says.

STAY COVERED, CALIFORNIA: We're inching ever-closer to the launch of California's federally mandated health insurance exchange, and a Covered California meeting today is going to cover logistical hurdles for getting to California's sizeable uninsured population, such as enrollment and outreach. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the California Department of Health Care Services building on Capitol Avenue.

SAN DIEGO TO SACRAMENTO: Members of California Attorneys for Criminal Justice will be joining representatives of the California Innocence Project who have been making their way north from Southern California in protest of what they describe as wrongful convictions of a dozen Californians. They'll arrive at the State Capitol and seek to delivery clemency petitions to Gov. Jerry Brown.

SCHOOL FUNDING: Still confused about the new school funding overhaul included in the freshly minted budget? A telemeeting today will try to clarify the contours of the new Local Control Funding Formula. Featuring Michael Kirst, president of the California State Board of Education; Ana Matosantos, director of the California Department of Finance, and Jonathan Kaplan of the California Budget Project.

NASCAR NATION: So maybe California isn't at the epicenter of said nation, but that doesn't mean there aren't fans. Among them are senators Jim Nielsen and Ted Gaines, who will be honoring NASCAR Day at the Capitol today with a special resolution. Racing stars like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson are getting a special police escort through Sacramento.